ROE'S NUTS

About Us

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We are an organic chestnut orchard located in beautiful Ruckersville Virginia on the historic Rapidan river. Our mission is to help save and restore the American Chestnut through sales of our chestnuts and community outreach efforts. Each year we will continue to donate to the Virginia Department of Forestry seedling program, and a portion of our sales will go to the American Chestnut Federation, a multigenerational movement working with the VDOF to save and restore the American Chestnut. To learn more about how you can help, or to report finding an American Chestnut tree in the wild please visit acf.org.

What Happened To The American Chestnut?

Once a major resource, and source of income from lumber and food in the Appalachian Mountains the American chestnut tree went virtually extinct within only 40 years of the arrival of Blight on imported trees. The native chestnut tree had no natural resistance and the Blight spread quickly. Native chestnut trees once numbered 3-5 billion trees, that's 1 in 4 trees, to maybe 300 fruiting trees today.

This video tells the Appalachian side of this very sad story of the American chestnut Blight. -- “a grove of chestnut trees is a better provider than a man, and a lot easier to be around”

This video explains the science behind the loss and the effort to Save and Restore the American Chestnut. -- “it’s considered one of the worst ecological disasters of our time” but“we’re that close, one step away from reintroducing the American chestnut”

The Darling 58 Chestnut Tree: Bringing Back an American Icon is another excellent video to watch.

Returning the American chestnut tree to the forests of Appalachia will help restore the ecological balance disturbed by its loss, but other species of trees are also under threat and the lessons learned the last 100 years trying to save and restore the American chestnut will be invaluable in the fight to save these other species.

In-Season

Right in time for the holidays. Nat King Cole sang it best in The Christmas Song… "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose"

Facts

Chestnuts are so ancient they are believed to be one of the first foods we ate.

American chestnuts were among the largest, tallest, and fastest-growing trees in the eastern forest.

The wood was long-lasting, straight-grained, and suitable for furniture, fencing, and building. The nuts fed billions of birds and animals. It was almost a perfect tree.

A tree that had survived all adversaries for 40 million years had disappeared within 40.

Chestnuts are a "true nut" that must be cooked; shelled and roasted, steamed, jarred, pureed, canned, or boiled.

Chestnuts are the lowest fat nut, yet the taste is buttery and rich with the texture of a baked potato, slightly sweet and earthy.

High in Fiber - Eating just 10 roasted chestnuts provides 17% of the recommended daily amount.

Low in Calories - Nutrition Per Ounce · Calories: 77 · Protein: 1 gram · Fat: 1 gram · Carbohydrates: 17 grams · Fiber: 3 grams · Sugar: 0 grams · Cholesterol: 0 milligrams · Sodium: 1 milligram.

The First Superfood!! - “Chestnuts remain a good source of antioxidants, even after cooking. They're rich in gallic acid and ellagic acid—two antioxidants that increase in concentration when cooked. Antioxidants and minerals like magnesium and potassium help reduce your risk of cardiovascular issues, such as heart disease or stroke.” WebMD

Chestnuts are just as safe and healthy for your pet as they are for you.

The edible chestnut comes out of a spiny burr that hurts like heck if you touch it. The non-edible Horse Chestnut comes out of a burr that looks like a spiny golf ball. You can’t confuse the two once you see them side by side.

Popular in Italy, Europe, and NYC - Chestnuts are sold on street carts roasted during the holiday season. The smell is intoxicating!

Recipes

Open Fire Farmhouse Style
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Roe’s Family Recipe (Gas Stove Style)
Recycle a pie tin. Using a fork or knife, poke small holes all over the bottom of the pie tin. Wash nuts by covering them with water in a bowl. Remove nuts that float or that are soft, cracked, have holes. Dry nuts and cut an X on the round side. Place the cut nuts in the pie tin flat side down. Place the pie tin on the stove grate over a medium flame. Move and turn them around every few minutes to evenly cook. Cook till open and charred…approx. 15 mins.

Oven Roasted
Cut an X on the round side of the nut, lay it flat side on baking pan, and bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool slightly then remove shell and fuzzy inner skin. Eat warm or save them for later."

Storing Chestnuts

Store raw chestnuts in a grocery bag in the fridge for unto two months. Sweeten fresh chestnuts by leaving them at room temperature for two days. For long storage put them in the freezer and use immediately after thawing (or they become mushy).